Marsh-horses hoe



(No Model.) ".2 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. A. RANDALL.

MARSH HORSBSHOE. No. 566,017. Patented Aug. 18, 1s

(No-Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

e. A. RANDALL.

- MARSH HORSESHOE- No. 566,017. Patent ed Aug. 18 1896.

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4 UNITED STATES P TE T OFFICE.

GEORGE A. RANDALL, or NEWBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

MARSH-HORSESHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,017, dated August 18, 1896.

Application filed May 16,1896. Serial No. 591,379. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. RANDALL, of Newbury, in the count-y of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Marsh-Horseshoes, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

Figure 1 is a top view of the marsh shoe or clog, showing the position of the clamping device in relation to the shoe. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1, the horses hoof being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the ratchet B. Fig. {l is a top view of the ratchet B. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the clamp O in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a top view of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side View of the toothed cam E. Fig. 8 is a top view of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the connecting-link H. Fig. 10 is a top view of the adjusting-lever K.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved horseshoe, for soft or marshy ground, which will support the animal in the same way that Snow-shoes support a man.

My improvements relate particularly to the means for adjusting the shoe quickly and securely to the hoof of the horse, and also to the method of attaching the clamps to the shoe.

Heretofore in marsh-shoes the forward portions of the clamps O and D have been attached to the shoe by rigid downwardly-depending arms. Thislmaintain when the clamps were brought together by the ordinary clamping device tilted the said clamps inwardly, so as to bring the pressure on the upper edge of the clamps O and D,thereby destroyingthe form of the curve of said clamp and bringing injurious pressure on the hoof of the horse. This was particularly noticeable when applying the shoe to horses with small hoofs, as the nearer the curved clamps approached each other the more they were tilted and twisted, so that the curves in said clamps loose their effective ness and become injurious to the hoof.

In my invention the rear portions of the clamps G and D are attached to the shoe by staples at the points 0 and D in the ordinary manner; but the forward portions of the clamps are secured to the shoe by links H, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the links being attached to ears in the clamps in one end and by staples in the shoe in the other end. This allows a lateral motion to the curved clamps O and D, and by the construction of my improved adjusting device absolutely prevents their tilting and twisting.

Another important feature of my invention is the improved adjusting device. Heretofore marsh-shoes have been secured bya bolt and thumb-screw or nuts, and this necessitated the entire removal of the thumb-screwin order to properly adjust the shoe, and the tedious turning up of the thumb-screw occupies much time and frequently necessitates the use of a number of washers to get the proper tension on the clamps, and the nuts or thumb-screws often become loose and necessitate constant readjustment, whereas in my invention the toothed cam E is so constructed that when the straight side is parallel with the ratchet B the ratchet can be slipped forward and back, and when nearly adjusted to the hoof of the horse, by engaging the teeth of the cam E in the ratchet and having any of the holes 0 in the clamps coincide with the hole E in the toothed cam, and then inserting a pin, the clamps are securely held in place.

My device is constructed in the following manner: The shoe A is preferably made of wood, and is provided with four staples, two for holding the ends of the clamps O and D and two for the links H. The clamps O and D, I prefer to make from malleable cast-iron, but of course they could be forged or cast from any suitable metal. The clamp D is provided at its forward end with an eye for receiving the hook in the end of the ratchet B. The forward end of the clamp C is recessed for the reception of the ratchet and toothed cam, the toothed cam being attached to it permanently by a rivet or pin at the point E This forward extension of the clamp O is also provided with a series of holes 0 which, by the use of a suitable pin or. plug, gives a variable adjustment. This pin I prefer to make in the shape of an eyebolt, so that it may be easily withdrawn by the hook on one end of the wrench K. (Shown in Fig.10.) This wrench K fits the toothed cam E and is used to increase the leverage in adjusting the clamps. One end of the ratchet B, as before stated, hooks into an eye in the forward end of the clamp D. The other end of the ratchet I prefer to provide with shoulders B, so that when once in place it cannot come out. The links H H, which connect the forward ends of the clamps to the shoe, are attached at their lower ends to staples in the shoe, and in their upper ends engage downwardlyextending ears in the clamps G and D, thereby connecting the forward end of the clamps flexibly to the shoe, to prevent tilting and twisting when drawn together to confine the hoof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new,and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is

1. Ina marsh-horseshoe, the combination with a shoe A, of curved clamps G and D, their rear ends hinged directly to said shoe, their forward ends attached flexibly by the use of the links H H, said clamps being provided with a ratchet B and toothed cam E,

and a pin or plug for adj ustably securing said shoe to the horses hoof, substantially in the manner described.

2. In a marsh-horseshoe, the combination of the shoe A, of theclamps O and D, flexibly connected with said shoe at their forward ends by the links H H, to prevent the tilting or twisting of said clamps; the ratchet B attached to the forward portion of one of said clamps, the toothed cam E attached to the forward portion of the opposite clamp, and the pin or plug for adjustably securing the said clamps in their proper position, substantially in the manner described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 12th day of Ma A. D. 1896. eEo. A. RANDALL.

Witnesses:

S. OLINE, 0. WV. LADD. 

